[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43589-43590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16377]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 
Increasing Depths of the Existing Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, 
Boeuf and Black Project Up to 35 Feet, Including Channels in 
Atchafalaya Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, in Assumption, St. Mary, and 
Terrebone Parishes in the Vicinity of Morgan City, LA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, is 
initiating this study under the authority of Section 430 of the Water 
Resources Development Act of 2000, Public Law 106-541, dated December 
11, 2000, to determine the feasibility of deepening the navigation 
channel of the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, 
LA, from 20 feet to 35 feet. Deepwater oil and gas exploration and 
development in the Gulf of Mexico and other deepwater areas has 
increased because of growth in demand; depletion of existing oil and 
gas fields, including those in the shallower areas of the gulf; and 
advancements in deepwater drilling technologies that include larger 
platforms. Many of the larger platforms required for deepwater 
activities are constructed in foreign countries because, among other 
factors, there are not enough competitive fabrication yards in the 
United States with adequate navigation access channels. The fabrication 
industry in the Morgan City-Amelia, LA area could capture a significant 
portion of the deepwater rig fabrication market if they had deeper 
navigation access channels to their facilities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) should be addressed to Mr. Michael Salyer at 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, PO Box 60267, New Orleans, LA 
70160-0267, phone (504) 862-2037, fax number (504) 862-2572 or by E-
mail at michael.r.salyer@mvn02.usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Proposed Action. The proposed action 
would include the deepening of the navigation channels included in the 
existing Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, 
Louisiana project and in the Lower Atchalaya River south of MorganCity, 
LA, to project depths up to 35 feet. These channels include the 
Atchafalaya River south of Morgan City, the existing channels in the 
Atchafalaya Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and existing channels in Bayou 
Chene, Bayou Beouf, and Bayou Black located south of U.S. Highway 90 
and south and east of Morgan City. The material dredged for the 
construction and maintenance of the channels would be used for wetlands 
restoration and construction, to the extent practicable. Economic and 
environmental analysis would be used to determine the most practical 
plan, which would provide for the greatest overall public benefit.
    2. Alternatives. Alternatives recommended for consideration 
presently include the construction of deeper channels in the 
Atchafalaya River, Atchafalaya Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and Bayous 
Chene, Boeuf, and Black; and the relocation of the fabrication 
facilities to other U.S. locations with larger navigation access 
channels. Incremental 2 reaches of those channels with separable 
benefits and cost would be investigated. Various project depths for 
navigation channels would also be investigated.

[[Page 43590]]

    3. Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of 
alternatives and significant resources and issues to be addressed in 
the EIS. For this analysis, a letter will be sent to all parties 
believed to have an interest in the analysis, requesting their input on 
alternatives and issues to be evaluated. The letter will also notify 
interested parties of public scoping meetings that will be held in the 
local area. Notices will also be sent to local news media. All 
interested parties are invited to comment at this time, and anyone 
interested in this study should request to be included in the study 
mailing list.
    A public scoping meeting will be held in July 2002. The meeting 
will be held in the vicinity of Morgan City, LA. Additional meetings 
could be held, depending upon interest and if it is determined that 
further public coordination is warranted.
    4. Significant Resources. The tentative list of resources and 
issues to be evaluated in the EIS includes tidal wetlands (marshes and 
swamps), aquatic resources, commercial and recreational fisheries, 
wildlife resources, essential fish habitat, water quality, air quality, 
threatened and endangered species, recreation resources, and cultural 
resources. Socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the EIS include: 
Navigation, flood protection, business and industrial activity, 
employment, land use, property values, public/community facilities and 
services, tax revenues, population, community and regional growth, 
transportation, housing, community cohesion, and noise.
    5. Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be assisting in the documentation of 
existing conditions and assessment of effects of project alternatives 
through Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act consultation procedures. The 
USFWS will provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report. 
Consultation will be accomplished with the USFWS and the National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) concerning threatened and endangered 
species and their critical habitat. The NMFS will be consulted on the 
effects of this proposed action on Essential FishHabitat. The draft EIS 
(DEIS) or a notice of its availability will be distributed to all 
interested agencies, organizations, and individuals.
    6. Estimated Date of Availability. Funding levels will dictate the 
date when the DEIS is available. The earliest that the DEIS is expected 
to be available in the fall of 2004.

    Dated: June 6, 2002.
Thomas F. Julich,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 02-16377 Filed 6-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P